Part-time study, full-time learning A weekend in the life of an EMBA

Interview with Global Ambassador, Jussara Nunes, Digital Marketing Manager at BNP Paribas and EMBA student, London at Hult International Business School. Why did you decide to do an Executive MBA? Following an EMBA program is a unique opportunity to learn new theories, models and  business concepts all while being able to continue working. It has given me the opportunity to apply what you’re learning almost immediately to my work. For me – I couldn’t dream of a more practical  program. What is a typical Executive MBA weekend like at Hult? Our weekends on campus are usually over four days. During  this time we focus on learning and sharing with colleagues. It is also a good opportunity to network – my colleagues on the program are very talented and intelligent professionals from different backgrounds. Each weekend follows the same time schedule and is spent focusing on a specific course, such as Financial Management.  The  weekends include  professor-led interactive classes as well as teamwork. Often we will have a team presentation to do on Monday morning  which we start working on after class on Friday. Depending on the subject, and what is asked, the work can take the team anything from a few hours together during the evenings to working through the night! How do you prepare for  your weekends in class?   Each weekend is preceded by some preparation so we are ready for class. We have two weeks’ preparation time to submit an assignment related to the upcoming course.   For example, to prepare for our Marketing course, we had to conduct some research interviews with people in our company and write an analysis of the  findings. We also usually have some reading to do to ensure we are exposed to the key concepts – from key textbooks and relevant case studies through to related videos. How is the EMBA weekend structured? On Friday morning, before class, we meet for coffee and we catch up from last month – even though my cohort is in regular contact through WhatsApp, for me, it’s still great to catch up  face-to-face. Classes start at 9 am  and we have a mid-morning break.  We have lunch with class or teammates – sometimes we use lunch time to work on a presentation. As one of the HSA (Hult Student Association) representatives for my cohort, on Fridays, I have lunch with academic staff including our Dean. We give feedback from EMBA students and ourselves about the program and campus. I appreciate this activity as it is a way to participate actively in the development of the program. We get back to work after lunch and classes finish at 5 pm. We then split into groups to work on the content for our Monday presentation. People are one of the great elements of the EMBA. Teams change every month so we get to work with everyone in our class – people from around the world and from a variety of industries. It’s this teamwork that teaches you a key lesson of how to adapt really quickly – key for global business. It is also when we put our communications, management and leadership skills directly into practice. Do you have work to do after the weekend course is over?   Yes. We go home on Monday night and we have two weeks to submit a post-course assignment. Once I’m back to Paris I sleep for a couple of hours without any work to think about and give my brain a rest from the intensive learning! Then its time to put into practice all the concepts learned during the weekend. An example of one of the post-course assignments was a company analysis in regards to its culture, leadership and management styles.  I personally I like to take a break after the long weekend, before tackling my assignments and then I treat them like an extended exam: I commit to two, intensive 4- to 5-hour sessions for each assignment.   What do you do during your EMBA weekends when you aren’t studying?   In general, we arrive on Thursday night to get some rest before our weekend ‘marathon’ starts. If we arrive early enough that day we meet with the career development team, or members of the academic team. In the evening, when we have time  and are not too busy with coursework, we will go out for drinks or dinner with our group.  For example last weekend we tried an interactive digital Japanese restaurant in Soho. You order from your table and you can play games. I’m a terrible battleship player but very good at catching flying balloons! There are also regular events on campus. For example, last Friday after class we had a networking event with all the 1st  and 2nd  year EMBAs. I come from Paris and many colleagues come from other countries. People from out of town test different hotels and accommodation and we share reviews and tips for where to stay the next weekend on campus. How much time do you dedicate to the Executive MBA outside of the weekends? My plan is to dedicate 8 hours each week to EMBA studying. However, often things don’t go to plan, so some weeks I do close to nothing and other weeks I study more than 10 hours. In one month studying for an EMBA requires a minimum of 20 hours outside of class. Ideally, to get the most out of the program and be well-prepared for the weekend it is better to dedicate double this. Or even more, if you can – it really is true that you get out what you put in! After the assignment is submitted, we stress (a little) for a couple of weeks whilst waiting for our grades. We are all very committed to the program. So even if we go on holiday, in general, we keep on working. I’m lucky to have support from my family – they are always there to help distract me with something fun before concentrating again! In summary, in 4 days EMBAs experience what full-time MBAs live in 8 weeks. It is challenging, but in return I get to see the immediate  benefit of being able to  apply so much of what I studied straight into my professional work. To learn more about our Global Executive MBA program,  download a brochure.   Step up your game with executive education at Ashridge agile business school. To find out more, take a look at our blog Reflections from an EMBA grad, or firm up your exec career footing with a Masters in International Business from Hult. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you learn everything about the business world, the future, and yourself. Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .